St. Louis Rams at Chicago Bears Spread
The 4-7 Chicago Bears look to end their four-game losing streak Sunday when they play host to the 1-10 St. Louis Rams in a Week 13 NFC clash. Last week, the Bears were just another victim for the red hot Vikings, falling 36-10 in Minnesota. Meanwhile, the Rams couldn’t survive two costly interceptions by Kyle Boller and fell 27-17 to division rival Seattle. These teams last met last season when Chicago crushed the Rams 27-3. St. Louis has won four of the last six meetings but the Bears own a 50-35-3 lead in the all-time series. NFL odds makers expect Chicago to repeat last year’s dominant performance, listing the Bears as 9-point favorites with the total set at 41.
If the Bears hope to end their losing streak, they’ll have to be able to shut down star running back Steven Jackson. Despite playing on one of the worst offenses I have ever seen, one that only averages 11.8 points per game, Jackson is leading the NFC with 1,120 rushing yards. That’s quite the accomplishment when you consider that every team that faces St. Louis is keying on him. Jackson could be poised for another big day as he faces a Bears run defense ranked 24th in the league.
Another guy quietly playing well for the Rams is wide receiver Donnie Avery. He is averaging 13.7 yards per catch this season and enters Sunday’s contest having scored a touchdown in five of his last seven games.
On the defensive side of the football, I can’t say enough about how well rookie linebacker James Laurinaitis has played. He has 75 tackles and two interceptions and picked up his first career sack last week. It is worth noting that the Bears are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games versus the NFC.
The Windy City has been home sweet home for Jay Cutler this season. On the road, Cutler has been the worst QB in football, throwing 17 interceptions, but at Soldier Field he has thrown eight touchdown strikes against only three picks. Cutler will have a chance to give the Chicago fans something to cheer about, instead of jeer about, when he goes up against the Rams’ 22nd-ranked pass defense Sunday.
Tight end Greg Olsen looks to be Chicago’s most promising young receiver and it will be interesting to see how lethal of a combination Cutler to Olsen will be as the two continue to develop chemistry. Like Cutler, Olsen has been much more productive at home where he has nine of his 13 career touchdown catches. It is worth noting that the Bears have been money in the chalk role of late at 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games as a favorite of 3.5-10.0 points.
